Lighting One's 10th Anniversary Featured

Lighting One's 10th Anniversary is featured in the latest issue of Home Lighting & Accessories Magazine, March issue, which is found online (starting on Page 76) http://www.homelighting.com/emag

To locate your nearest Lighting One showroom, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Upcoming Home Lighting Trends Seen at Market

In order to stay “in the know” and ahead of the trends, Lighting One attends Lighting Markets to see what is new in the upcoming marketplace. While visiting numerous showrooms at the recent International Lighting Market in Dallas, Texas, it was apparent that there were a few reoccurring trends. In order to help keep YOU in the know as well, we thought we would share a few of our findings.

The focus appeared to be on lighter colors and softer metals. Polished Nickel also stood out among the sea of fixtures. The incorporation of shades in both fabric and metal was observes in a majority of showrooms. Fixtures accented with crystal, along with colored and clear beads were very popular.

Spheres and globes, and more non-traditional shapes were also apparent.

LED Lighting continues to be the hot topic and many suppliers presented limited introductions due to the rapidly changing technology, although suppliers like Satco, one of Lighting One’s preferred partners, introduced a very large assortment of LED bulbs.

Basic entry level price points in both the traditional and contemporary categories were evident to help consumers find better values without being driven to Home Centers for their lighting needs.

Promotional products such as Tiffany lamps at Quoizel, another Lighting One preferred partner, were also featured.

So, to stay ahead of the trends and be in the know, be sure your lighting needs are fulfilled with lighting experts at any of our family-owned lighting showrooms throughout the country. To find the nearest location to you, visit www.lighting-one.com.

The image shown is Lighting One’s #30312-PW two light sconce with crystal drops, as an example of the crystal beading and metallic finishes that are very popular.

Spruce up Your Home for the Holidays!

You have your family coming in for the holidays and you would LOVE to redo your entire home before-hand... but who can afford it these days? Well, there are a few things that you can do to give your home a whole new look without having to take a second mortgage!

Placing a few new lamps around the house can provide a fresh look for your home, while providing much needed lighting for reading, homework, or projects. This additional splash of light will also brighten your home and make it feel more inviting. OR use these new lamps and turn off the overhead lights for an intimate ambiance.

Strategically placed under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen will not only provide better lighting for your workspace, but also provide your kitchen with an updated look, accent your beautiful counters, and add another layer of invitation to your already welcoming kitchen.

While we are in the kitchen, let's take a look at the lighting over your island. Placing a few art-glass mini-pendants over your island will give your entire kitchen a lift and a modern look. Or install an island light for a dual purpose fixture, that will also allow you to showcase your cookware and keep it in a handy place.

Replacing your dining room chandelier can instantly dress up your dining room. Find one that complements your style, whether traditional, modern, casual, elegant, or even eclectic. Add a few sconces on the wall to complement the chandelier, add another layer of lighting, and provide further decoration for the room.

Let's not forget the bathrooms! Sconces to either side of your vanity mirror will not only provide a high-end look for your bathroom, but your make up will thank you as you will see a more natural look with no harsh shadows. Adding a crystal mini-chandelier in your bathroom is a trendy new way to create an elegant up-lift or to enhance your shabby chic feeling.

While you are redecorating, add a few lamps in your bedrooms - reading lamps for homework spaces, torchieres for seating areas, swing arm lamps above the bed for reading, or table lamps for the side tables.

Think ceiling fans are only for the summer? Not so! Ceiling fans can be used all year around. Simply reverse the airflow and your ceiling fan will circulate the heat throughout the room and keep your room from feeling too stuffy. Not only will it help your energy savings (by better distributing the air) but also, if you buy one this time of year, chances are pretty good you can find them on sale!

So, don't spend a fortune redecorating your home. Pick a few of these tips (or even all of them) and you will find yourself with a drastic change in your home for much less than remodeling!

For more design tips, contact your local lighting design specialist. To find a showroom near you, visit www.lighting-one.com.

The product shown in the picture is 0411-RD and is available at participating Lighting One showrooms.

Lighting Design Trends

Lighting designers and manufacturers proudly combine fashion and function in their designs, creating compelling decorative lamps and fixtures that do more than simply illuminate – they beautify a home.

Lighting products including chandeliers, table lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps are available in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes to help change the look and function of a room. Although common and traditional polished brass fixtures remain popular to this day, a variety of other finishes are now available and have increasingly gained popularity with consumers in recent years.

Decorative lighting is used for style as well as function. Many homeowners today are focusing on using coordinated families of lamps and fixtures for each room; thereby creating a look that matches their personal style preferences.

Decorative lighting manufacturers design their products based on the diversity of their customers. For example, a homeowner in a rustic wooded area may select lamps embellished with pine-needle filigree. The ability to incorporate special design elements such as these provides homeowners with more opportunity to personalize their homes to match their environment.

When shopping for decorative lighting, always select the highest quality lighting that fits within your budget. Lighting One offers a variety of brand levels that will help you select the products that best meet your needs and budget. And always consider your lighting an investment in your home. Therefore, an investment in quality will certainly provide you with longer life products that will beautify your home for many years to come. And don’t forget to ask your design consultant about Lighting One’s financing options!

Changing lampshades is an effective way to freshen up or update a room’s décor. Lampshade fashions are all about using beautiful materials and combining them with unique treatments. The fabric choices for shades are much more decorative and refined, such as shantung silks and crinkled oiled papers. Decorative trim on lampshades has become very popular. Have fun selecting a lampshade dressed up with a row of glass beads, pearls, rhinestones, tassels or even feathers to complement a setting in your home. Selecting the right shade is an easy way to dress up an area of your home with functional accessories.

No matter what your lighting needs are, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom. Products vary by showroom location.

Lighting Help for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Most of us have come to spend our waking hours indoors...eliminating sunlight from daily routines. But, as science continues to discover and understand the role light plays in our lives, its use as both a therapeutic and preventative tool is becoming evident.

Our inability to perceive colors adequately, as is the case on a gray winter day or under poor artificial lighting, can negatively affect our mood and energy flow. In the winter, we invariably have less energy, while in the spring we come alive. For many, these mood swings are severe and typify a condition know as Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Those affected with S.A.D. act like animals prior to hibernation-increased sleep, diet changes and weight gain.

Combat these issues with options ranging from light bulbs to lamps to doctor-recommended light boxes at 10,000 lux. The Chromalux bulb, Verilux Happy Eyes Lamp and Verilux Happy Lite are all choices available as great full spectrum lighting solutions to help treat S.A.D. The Chromalux bulb has its origin in Finland where life must be sustained in almost total darkness for several months each year. With this innovative, extra-long life bulb, the light is purified, allowing colors to maintain their true color and vibrancy. It has been described as the closest thing to natural daylight.

By using full spectrum bulbs, lamps or light boxes in your home or office, you'll brighten up your area and mood allowing you to see and feel better.

Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, or for more Lighting One Design Tips, please visit www.lighting-one.com. Please note that some products may vary by location.

Ask the Experts!

Question: I'm doing a kitchen update and want to use pendant lighting instead of the 6" recessed cans I currently have, but I don't want the pain of pulling the cans out of the ceiling plus doing a bunch of drywall work. Is there a way to convert a recessed can to a pendant?

Answer: You can convert your existing recessed can light to a pendant by using a product called The Can Converter. This product adapts almost any recessed light fixture or can light to work with other types of light fixtures. You can modify can lights to hang a ceiling fan, ceiling light, light canopy, swag light, pendant light or just about any other type of light fixture in minutes. No patch work is required.

Question: I want to make my home more energy efficient on a small budget of a couple hundred dollars. Are dimmers a viable option for me and can I install them myself?

Answer: Dimmers are a great way to save energy with a minimal investment and are easy to install. If every US household installed only ONE more dimmer, we would reduce carbon monoxide emissions equivalent to that of 370,000 cars. Basic dimmers start at $14.99 and remote control dimmer combos start at $49.99. To install, 1. Turn power off at circuit breaker 2. Remove wall plate and switch mounting screws 3. Pull switch from wall and disconnect switch wires 4. Connect the wires in the box and dimmer by matching colors 5. Use wire connectors to secure the electrical connection. Twist wire connector tight and ensure no bare wire is exposed 6. mount and align dimmer 7. Install wall plate 8. Turn power on at circuit breaker 9. Enjoy energy savings!

Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, or for more Lighting One Design Tips, please visit www.lighting-one.com. Please note that some products may vary by location.

Expert Advice & Tips on all of your Home Design Needs

As a reader of the Lighting One Design Tips, you have the opportunity to become a member of one of our new partners... the most exciting new social media site for home design!

Zabitatz.com has created a fun, interactive website platform where you can see, source, and share advice, insight and inspiration on home design. Through aggregating the insight of its members (aka Zabbers), Zabitatz.com allows the pizzazz - energy, vitality, style & flair - of fabulous home design to emerge.

Lighting One will be offering expert advice and tips on http://www.zabitatz.com/ as well as answering your lighting questions. Be sure to check out our sponsored group "Let the Light Shine In." We would love for you join this group. Feel free to add "Lighting One" as your friend.

See you on Zabitatz.com!

Mastering the Lighting in Your Master Suite

With today’s open master suites, the master bedroom has taken on a whole new dimension in the home. Decorative sconces, torcheres, portable lamps, or built in cove lighting can provide glare free fill light. If replacing a ceiling globe in the middle of the room, consider an opaque pendant that directs the light up and off the ceiling, unless the fixture is a light unit for a ceiling fan. (When a fixture is attached to a ceiling fan the light should not be directed upward as it creates a very annoying strobe effect when the fan is on.)

Where we have a master bedroom with an adjacent sitting area, more lighting will be required. Recessed lighting is one of the preferred ways to light a general area because the light source is concealed. The room will come alive through accenting artwork, wall washing or grazing. Another way to accent the room is through wall sconces.

Finally consider adding a few control switches near the bed so lights and nightlights can be controlled without getting out of bed.

No matter what your lighting needs are for your Master Suite, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom.

The Latest Trends In Recessed Lighting

Homeowners are finding the most popular way of lighting their new kitchen or extension is with recessed lighting. That's because recessed lighting has a clean appearance and gives off plenty of light. While it's true that recessed is an excellent choice, the type of recessed lighting you choose is very important. Many people allow their contractors or electricians to select their recessed lighting. However, they usually use builder-grade recessed cans, which use 120-volt bulbs and are very expensive to run, and they don't often choose the best layout for your space.

When you take into account the high cost of energy, it becomes clear that the cost of running recessed lights is more important than the cost of the lights. An excellent choice for most applications is energy-efficient 12-volt low-voltage recessed lights. These provide good quality white light without heat, cost little to run, and use long-lasting bulbs. In addition, they are smaller than traditional recessed lights, making them more attractive.

For adding new recessed lighting, a great combination would be to use American-made low-voltage recessed cans, along with high-quality European 12-volt bulbs. An added benefit of the American-made cans is that there is a 10-year warranty on both the transformer and the socket. In addition, the American-made transformers use a lower voltage compared to builder quality recessed lighting. This combination can save over $1,600 over the life of each bulb, which can last over 14,000 hours. These units give off the best quality white light, and there's no heat under the bulbs. Their smaller size, along with their great light output, make these the best choice for most homeowners.

For existing recessed lighting, there are several ways that you can save energy. The easiest would be to use European 120-volt halogen bulbs, which give off better quality light, last longer, and cut down on heat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. These bulbs, which cost $10-$13 each, will outlast 3-4 incandescent bulbs and can save over $120 over the life of each bulb.

Another good choice for saving energy with existing recessed lighting is LED lighting. These units, which use the latest technology, easily screw into your existing recessed cans. While the initial cost of approximately $125 per unit may seem expensive, they more than make up for through the money saved on energy costs. These units use only 12 watts of energy, which is just a little more than a night-light, but they give off the same light as a 120-volt incandescent bulb. The LED units are rated for 50,000 hours of use, so based on an average of four hours of use per day, they will last 40 years. At today's energy costs, these units will save over $2,500 in energy costs and over $300 in bulb replacement costs. The units are also airtight, so they won't allow heat to escape through them. This saves even more money on heating costs.

Recently people have been touting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as a good way to save energy. While it's true that they are great in terms of energy usage, they take a long time to reach their full brightness, and give off a duller light than other bulbs. In addition, homeowners must be aware that these units contain Mercury, so they must be disposed of properly. Still, fluorescent bulbs can be a very good choice in areas where the quality of light isn't as important, like in a basement or laundry room.

Written by Philip Finkelstein.Philip is a Lighting One-certified lighting designer, and has owned Illuminations in Rockville Centre, NY for the past 30 years. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Recessed Downlighs for your Home Lighting Design

Recessed lighting has become very popular over the past several years. It inconspicuously provides general, or accent lighting and is recessed in the ceiling with only the trim showing. While this type of fixture can also be used for task lighting, be careful that the placement doesn't have your head block the light from the task at hand.

Since this type of light fixture is recessed in the ceiling, it does not have a style of its own. That means it can be used in any style home. While recessed lighting is ideal for low-ceiling areas, it can also be used in cathedral ceilings with a special adapter. Recessed lighting is available as downlights, adjustable accent lights, and wall washers. These fixtures can be used to light up a kitchen counter, illuminate a family portrait, offer a delightful accent to the room, or create an inviting atmosphere under the eaves outside your home.

The number of uses for recessed lighting has grown tremendously with the creation of low voltage recessed lighting applications, smaller apertures, and with a greater number of beam spreads available in today’s halogen bulbs.

In new construction, downlight cans are mounted easily as the home is being built. Once the house is built however, remodel housings must be used. These remodel housings slip easily into place and clip onto the hole cut in the ceiling.

For more information on this or other lighting needs, please contact your local Lighting One showroom. For a listing of the nearest showroom, please visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

The Elegance of Crystal

Now that we have looked at lighting for your home design and other home soultions, it’s important to look at crystal chandeliers for a moment.

Be careful, while crystal has been commonly used in foyers and dining rooms in the past, today there are crystal fixtures suitable for all areas of the home. Since crystal can be an integral part of any room fixture; it is really important that we understand some of the basics of crystal.

Below are topics that will be covered in upcoming blog postings. Stayed "tuned" for more information. In the meantime, feel free to contact your local Lighting One retailer for more tips and ideas for your home. To locate your near showroom, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Upcoming Blog Posting Topics:

• What is Crystal?


• Making and Cutting the Crystal


• Care of Crystal

The item shown in the picture is 30238S22 and is available at your local Lighting One showroom.

Proper Lighting for your Home Design

Proper lighting gives form and texture to a room by warming a dark corner, highlighting a favorite piece of art or creating just the right mood. With proper lighting your customer can experience a quiet evening curled up with a good book, or tell a great story at an exciting party. Lighting gives a small child the security to sleep at night, while allowing a young mother to tuck her angel in before she lies down. Yet lighting can provide so much more. Studies have shown that bright rooms can energize people while darker rooms cause people’s moods to be more depressed.

So then, what is proper lighting? Proper lighting for one person may not be proper for another. There are many things to consider when determining your lighting needs.

Lighting is used throughout the day, not only after the sun goes down. So, you need a well-designed lighting plan to balance and augment natural sunlight while providing the right light for family activities at night. It is important to seek the help of a lighting design expert to create the best plan for you. While you feel this is not cost-effective for you, in the long-run it will pay off in an optimal design. Most specialty lighting showrooms, like those that are part of Lighting One, offer these services with professionals on hand to help you make the most of your home. If you still choose not to use those services, please do as much research on your own as you can. You will be surprised by how much you do not know. A lighting showroom usually has better quality products that will last a long time and provide the best overall value. If you need assistance locating one in your area, go to the Lighting One website http://www.lighting-one.com/ and search for your closest location. Also, subscribe to this blog to have lighting design tips sent to your email inbox on a regular basis.

Product shown is 0411-RD, available at Lighting One showrooms.

Trends in Lighting Design for your Home

Lighting designers and manufacturers proudly combine fashion and function in their designs, creating compelling decorative lamps and fixtures that do more than simply illuminate – they beautify a home.

Lighting products including chandeliers, table lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps are available in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes to help change the look and function of a room. Although common and traditional polished brass fixtures remain popular to this day, a variety of other finishes are now available and have increasingly gained popularity with consumers in recent years.

Decorative lighting is used for style as well as function. Many homeowners today are focusing on using coordinated families of lamps and fixtures for each room; thereby creating a look that matches their personal style preferences.

Decorative lighting manufacturers design their products based on the diversity of their customers. For example, a homeowner in a rustic wooded area may select lamps embellished with pine-needle filigree. The ability to incorporate special design elements such as these provides homeowners with more opportunity to personalize their homes to match their environment.

When shopping for decorative lighting, always select the highest quality lighting that fits within your budget. Lighting One offers a variety of brand levels that will help you select the products that best meet your needs and budget. And always consider your lighting an investment in your home. Therefore, an investment in quality will certainly provide you with longer life products that will beautify your home for many years to come. And don’t forget to ask your design consultant about Lighting One’s financing options!

Changing lampshades is an effective way to freshen up or update a room’s décor. Lampshade fashions are all about using beautiful materials and combining them with unique treatments. The fabric choices for shades are much more decorative and refined, such as shantung silks and crinkled oiled papers. Decorative trim on lampshades has become very popular. Have fun selecting a lampshade dressed up with a row of glass beads, pearls, rhinestones, tassels or even feathers to complement a setting in your home. Selecting the right shade is an easy way to dress up an area of your home with functional accessories.

Posted with permission from http://www.lighting-one.com/